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First picture released of Tottenham widow Dorothy Woolmer murdered in her own home

Metropolitan Police have released the image of Mrs Woolmer. Credit: Metropolitan Police

The first image of a pensioner murdered in her north London home has been released by police.

Tributes have poured in for Dorothy Woolmer, with a local resident saying: "You couldn't wish for a better neighbour".

Mrs Woolmer, who was 89-years-old, was found at her Tottenham home around 10.45am on Sunday.

She had been assaulted and was pronounced dead at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force added that burglary had not been ruled out as a motive for the killing.

Following a police raid on Monday at a property just a couple of hundred metres from Mrs Woolmer's home, a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Forensics officers in Waltheof Gardens. Credit: PA

One neighbour said she had lived at the terraced house in Waltheof Gardens with her late husband Kenneth, who was ex-navy.

He said she used to keep her front garden tidy and say hello to him in the street.

The neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous added: "They have lived here for more than 70 years.

“[Her husband] was ex-navy, she was a housewife. We were just good neighbours. They were pleasant, would give you the time of day.

“You couldn't wish for a better neighbour.”

Police aren't ruling out burglary as the motive. Credit: PA

The neighbour said her husband had died a few years ago.

He branded the attack as "disgusting" and said there had been a burglary nearby a few weeks ago.

He added: "It's b***** awful. We had a burglary only two doors away about three weeks ago.

"Whether they were sussing the place out I don't know."

Neighbour John Cerisier said he had been shocked to hear of Mrs Woolmer’s death.

He said he had known Mr and Mrs Woolmer for decades and they had been a devoted couple.

He added that Mr Woolmer had died two or three years ago.

The 72-year-old said: “I have lived here 44 years and I have known them all that time.

“They were a very quiet couple.

“They kept themselves to themselves. They were a very devoted couple.

“It’s just shocking what happened.”

Police have set up a cordon around the house. Credit: PA

Mr Cerisier said the couple had lived in the house since the late 1940s and Mrs Woolmer had been a housewife and keen gardener.

He added: “He was a marine, Kenneth.

“She didn’t work, she was a housewife. She loved her garden.

“It’s very sad. She lived to such an age and to end up like that, it’s horrible.”

Another neighbour Sayed Hussain said it was a "terrible" incident.

The 40-year-old added: “It's terrible, it should never have happened. I haven't got a single word to explain my sorrow.”

Police have set up a cordon around the house, with forensic officers in blue boiler suits seen searching the area.

“Officers believe one or more suspects gained entry to the woman's house in Waltheof Gardens at some point between Saturday evening and Sunday morning,” the force said.

Police “haven't ruled out burglary as a motive, but retain an open mind”, it added.

Detective Chief Inspector Garry Moncrieff said: "The woman had clearly been assaulted and, as such, a murder investigation has been launched.

"I want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in and around Waltheof Gardens and the surrounding area on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

"In addition, somebody locally may be aware of a friend or family member who they saw with blood stains on their clothing, or whose behaviour
caused them particular concern on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

"If so, I need to hear from them."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 3149/04aug or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.